Abschlußzeugnis

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? How Not to be
Overwhelmed by Credentials in German
NAFSA XII
October 24, 2012
Introduction
Presenters:
- Andrej Molchan
Evaluator
- Emily Tse
Director of Evaluations
Educational Systems:
Germany and Austria
-Austria annexed in 1938
-Gained independence in 1955
Background
• Bundesrepublik
Deutschland (Federal
Republic of Germany)
• Reunification in 1990
• 16 Bundesländer (Federal
States)
• Population of over 80
million
Accreditation
• Education is governed by each of the 16 federal states
• Coordinated by the federal government through the
Kultusministerskonferenz (Cultural Ministers’ Conference)
• University documents are issued by the post-secondary
institution (with the exception of law, teaching, and medicine)
• Since 2002, all new degree programs are accredited by one of
the accreditation bodies regulated by the Akkreditierungsrat
(Accreditation Council)
• Recognition of higher education institutions and degree
programs can be checked with the
Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (University Rectors’ Conference)
at hochschulkompass.de
Academic Calendar
Primary and Secondary
• August 1st to July 31st
• Divided into 2 semesters
• Actual dates depend on summer holidays, which differ among the
states
Higher Education
• Universities: October to September (with 5 months of private study)
• Fachhochschulen: (Universities of Applied Sciences): September to
August (with 3 months of private study)
• Normally divided into Wintersemester (winter semester) and
Summersemester (summer semester)
Medium of Instruction
Primary and Secondary: German
(with national minority languages represented)
University: German
Primary and General Secondary
Education
Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur)
(Certificate of General Maturity for Higher Education)
13th Grade
12th Grade
Secundarstufe II
(Upper Secondary)
Gymnasiale
Oberstufe
10th Grade
Secundarstufe I
(Lower Secondary)
Hauptschule
(Basic)
Realschule
(Extensive)
Gesamtschule
Gymnasium
(Intensified) (Comprehensive)
4th Grade
Grundschule
(Grades 1-4)
(1-6 in Berlin and Brandenburg)
Years of School Needed for Allgemeine
Hochschulreife (Abitur)
12
(since 2010)
13
12
13
13
13
12
12
12
13
13
12
13
12 or 13
(depending
on school)
13
13
LF = Leistungskursfach
(Advanced Course)
Semester-wise
Results for 11th and
12th Grades
written
oral
x4
Secondary Grading Scale
Gymnasium and Abitur
13
-
15 Sehr Gut
Very Good
1
IERF Suggested U.S.
Equivalents
A
= 4.00
10
-
12 Gut
Good
2
B+
=
3.30
7
-
9 Befriedigend
Satisfactory
3
B-/C+
=
2.50
4
1
0
-
6 Ausreichend
3 Mangelhaft
Ungenügend
Sufficient
Deficient
Failure
4
5
6
C
D
F
=
=
=
2.00
1.00
0.00
Academic Credentials Available through
Vocational Upper Secondary Education
Hochschulreife
• Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife (Certificate of
Maturity for Universities of Applied Sciences)
- Represents 12 years of study
• Zeugnis der fachgebundene Hochschulreife
(Certificate of Subject-Restricted Maturity for
Higher Education)
• Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur)
Vocational Upper Secondary Education
Hochschulreife
= No Access to Higher Education
Berufsoberschule
(2 years)
= Access to Higher Education
Hochschulreife
Fachhochschulreife
12th
Grade
Berufsschule/
Duales System
(2-3 years)
10th Grade
9th Grade
Berufsfachschule
(Can vary from 1-3
years)
Fachoberschule
Berufliches Gymnasium/
Fachgymnasium
Postsecondary Institutions
Hochschulen (Universities)
• Universität (Standard University)
• Technische Hochschule/Universität (Technical University)
• Pädagogische Hochschule (University of Teacher Training)
• Theologische Hochschule (Theological University)
• Kunsthochschule (Art University)
• Musikhochschule (Music University)
Requires Hochschulreife, may award doctoral and post-doctoral
qualifications
Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences)
Requires Fachhochschulreife
Traditional Postsecondary Credentials
•
•
•
•
•
•
Diplom(Univ.): Hochschulreife + 4 to 5 years
Magister/Magistra: Hochschulreife + 4.5 years
Diplom(FH): Fachhochschulreife + 3.5 to 5 years
Erste Staatsprüfung: Hochschulreife + 3.5 to 4.5
Zweite Staatsprüfung: “Erste” + 1.5 to 2 years
Doktor: Diplom (Univ.), Magister, Erste
Staatsprüfung + variable timeframe
Diplom/Magister Segments
Diplom:
Magister:
Grundstudium
(Normally 4
semesters)
Hauptstudium
(Normally 4-6
semesters)
Diplom-Vorprüfung/ Vordiplom
(Preliminary Examination)
Diplomprüfung
Zwischenprüfung
(Intermediate Examination)
Magisterprüfung
Scheine
•
Can be considered official prior to completion of Vordiplom-/Diplomprüfung
Preliminary Examination Certificate
Diploma Examination Certificate
Diplom Degree Certificate
Diplom (FH) Degree Certificate
First State Examination Certificate
Postsecondary Grading Scale
Germany-University Level
1.0
1.6
-
1.5 Sehr Gut
2.5 Gut
2.6
-
3.6
4.1
Very Good
Good
IERF Suggested U.S.
Equivalents
A
B+
=
=
4.00
3.30
3.5 Befriedigend Satisfactory
B-/C+
=
2.50
-
4.0 Ausreichend
Sufficient
C
=
2.00
-
Nicht
4.5 Ausreichend
Failure
F
=
0.00
New System (Bologna Process)
Doktor
Master
(2 years)
Bachelor
(3 years)
= Diplom(Univ.)/Magister
= Diplom(FH)
Hochschulreife/Fachhochschulreife
Implementation of Bologna Process in
Germany
• Original signatory of Bologna Process in 1999
• Traditional model runs parallel to new system
• 85% of degree programs had been converted to two-cycle bachelor
and master degrees by Winter Semester 2011-12
• Musik- and Kunsthochschulen have started to offer Bologna degrees
since 2004
• Diploma supplements made available since 2005
• Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy are exempt
from Bologna degree structure (Reforms in law are in discussion)
• After 10 years, many criticisms
“corresponds to ECTS”
Final Page
ECTS-Style University Transcript
Diploma Supplement (Page 1)
Recommended Internet Resources
• German Cultural Ministers’ Conference:
http://www.kmk.org
• University Rectors’ Conference:
http://hochschulkompass.de
• Accreditation Council of Germany
http://akkreditierungsrat.de
• Federal Ministry of Education:
http://www.bmbf.de
• ENIC-NARIC Network:
http://enic-naric.net
Recommended Book Resource(s)
• Lukas, Karen. The Educational System of the
Federal Republic of Germany. Culver City, CA:
International Education Research Foundation, 2002.
Pop Quiz
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Schule
Hochschule
Hochschulreife
Fachhochschule
Magister (male or female?)
Kauffrau (male or female?)
Zeugnis
Prüfung
und
German Language
• 4 additional letters in alphabet
Ä (= AE)
Ö (= OE)
Ü (= UE)
ß (= SS)
• Prüfung = Pruefung
• Abschlußzeugnis = Abschlusszeugnis
• Nouns are always capitalized.
Austria (Österreich)
9 states
(Bundesländer)
Primary Language of
Instruction: German
Academic Year
School:
September – June/July
University:
October – June
Administration and Regulation
• Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur
(Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture)
• Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung
(Federal Ministry for Science and Research)
•
Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung Austria
(Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria)
Established 2012 (bodies being replaced will phase out in 2012 & 2013)
public universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities
Primary (Grundstufe I und II) &
Lower Secondary (Unterstufe) Education
12th Grade
8th Grade
Lower
Secondary
Hauptschule
(Lower
Secondary
School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
Neue
Mittelschule
(New Middle
School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
allgemeinbildende
höhere Schule AHS
(general academic
secondary school)
8 years
Reifeprüfungszeugnis
Volksschuloberstufe
(Upper Level
Primary School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
4th Grade
Primary
Grundschule or Volksschule
4 years
Abschlußzeugnis
Volksschule
(Primary School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
Grade
Klasse
12
8 (achte)
11
7 (siebte)
10
6 (sechste)
9
5 (fünfte)
8
4 (vierte)
7
3 (dritte)
6
2 (zweite)
5
1 (erste)
Primary (Grundstufe I und II) &
Lower Secondary (Unterstufe) Education
12th Grade
8th Grade
Lower
Secondary
Hauptschule
(Lower
Secondary
School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
Neue
Mittelschule
(New Middle
School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
allgemeinbildende
höhere Schule AHS
(general academic
secondary school)
8 years
Reifeprüfungszeugnis
Volksschuloberstufe
(Upper Level
Primary School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
4th Grade
Primary
Grundschule or Volksschule
4 years
Abschlußzeugnis
Volksschule
(Primary School)
4 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
allgemeinbildende höhere Schule - AHS
(General Academic Secondary School)
Reifeprüfungszeugnis (Maturity Examination Certificate)
12th Grade
Oberstufe
Gymnasium
(Focus: Latin /
Modern
Language)
Realgymnasium
(Focus:
Science)
WirtschaftsKundliches
Realgymnasium
(Focus: Social
Science)
8 yrs
8 yrs
8 yrs
8th Grade
Unterstufe
4th Grade
Oberstufenrealgymnasium
(upper level
academic
secondary school)
4 years
Jahres = Yearly
Zeugnis = Certificate
Transcript from
High School
Reife = Maturity
Prüfung = Exam
Zeugnis = Certificate
Final Secondary School
Qualification
Reifeprüfungszeugnis
Cont’d
Reifeprüfungszeugnis
Cont’d
Stunden = Hours
Tafel = Table
Another Example of a
Reifeprüfungszeugnis
Which track is this?
Grading Scale
IERF Suggested
U.S. Equivalents
Generic
1
Sehr gut
Very Good
A
=
4.00
2
Gut
Good
B
=
3.00
3
Befriedigend
Satisfactory
B-
=
2.70
4
Genügend
Passing
C
=
2.00
5
Nicht genügend
Not Passing
F
=
0.00
Berufsreifeprüfungszeugnis
13th Grade
Vocational
Secondary School
12th Grade
Berufsschule /
Berufsbildende
Pflichtschule
(Vocational School
within the Dual
System)
Varies: 2-4 yrs
Most common: 3 yrs
Abschlußzeugnis
Lehrabschlußprüfung
Berufsbildende
mittlere Schule –
BMS
(Middle Level
Technical and
Vocational School)
Ex: Handelschule,
Fachschule
Berufsbildende
Höhere Schule – BHS
(Higher Level Technical
and Vocational School)
Ex: Höhere
Lehranstalten,
Handelsakademie
9th Grade
Polytechnische Schule
(Pre-Vocational
School)
1 yr: Abschlußzeugnis
8th Grade
Varies: 1-4 yrs
Most Common: 3-4
Abschlußzeugnis
Most common: 5 yrs
Reife- und
Diplomprüfungszeugnis
Abschluss = Completion
Prüfung = Exam
Zeugnis = Certificate
Handel = Business
Schule = School
Abschlussprüfungszeugnis
Cont’d
Reife- und
Diplomprüfungszeugnis
=
Maturity and Diploma
Examination Certificate
Postsecondary “Short” Qualifications
Employment only
Kolleg
(Higher-level Technical
and Vocational School)
Akademie für
Gesundheitsdienste
(Academy for Allied
Health Professions)
/ Schule für
gehobene
medizinischtechnische Dienste
(School for Medical
Technical
Professions)
2 years
2-3 years
Diplomprüfungszeugnis
Diplom
12th Grade
Diplomierter
Gesundheits- und
Krankenpfleger
=
Certified
Health [Care
Provider] and
Nurse
HEIs
•
•
•
Universität
(University)
Pädagogische Hochschule
(University College of Teacher Ed)
Fachhochschule
(University of Applied Sciences)
First Degrees
Dokotor/in
Bachelor
3-4 yrs
Engineering: 3.5
Art/Music: 4
Diplom /
Magister/a
6 years
Diplom (FH) /
Magister/a (FH)
4-6 years
Pre-Bologna
4-5 years
Pre-Bologna
Medicine
Dental Medicine
Pre-Bologna
Graduate
and/or
Research
Degrees
Habilitation
Years vary
Doktor/PhD
3-4 years
Many redesigned in
2006. Old version must
be completed by 2017.
Master
1-2 years
“Old-style”
Magistra
Degree
Transcript for
“Old-style”
Magistra
Degree
Transcript for
“Old-style”
Magistra
Degree
Cont’d
Can be separate
documents for
1st and 2nd
Sections /
Abschnitt
“Bolognastyle”
Bachelor’s
Degree
“Transcript”
for Bachelor’s
Degree
Bachelor’s
Degree from a
Fachhochschule
(University of
Applied Science)
Diploma
Supplement
Pop Quiz
Does Diplom refer to vocational or
postsecondary level studies?
Pesky Terms
Diplomprüfungszeugnis: Diploma examination certificate.
• successful completion of vocational studies at a Berufsbildende höhere Schule
(Reife-und Diplomprüfungszeugnis) or Kolleg.
• the examination certificate which concludes a segment of a university-level
diploma program leading to the Magister or Diplom. The Diplomprüfungszeugnis
marks the end of the erste or zweite Studienabschnitt (first or second segment of
these programs).
Diplomstudien: University-level diploma programs, leading to the Magister or
Diplom. Duration is a minimum of 4 years.
Diplomarbeit: Thesis
Diplom (Diplomierte qualifications): 2-3 year programs in allied health and
medical technical professions
Important Dates
• Original signatory of the Bologna Process in 1999
• Bologna Bachelor and Master degrees offered by Universities starting in
2000
• Bologna Bachelor and Master degrees offered by Fachhochschulen
starting in 2002
• Diploma Supplements made available since 2005
• Training of allied health professions (previously Diplomierte qualifications)
transitioned into bachelor degree programs at Fachhochschulen since
2006
• Bachelor of Education first awarded by Pädagogische Hochschule in
2008
Old-Style Degrees vs. Bologna
• The following professions are exempt from the Bologna degree
structure:
- medicine
- dentistry
- veterinary medicine
- pharmacy
- law
- teaching at the upper secondary school level
• At present, there is no legal phase-out date set for the old,
traditional degrees.
Recommended Internet Resources
•
Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung (Federal Ministry for
Science and Research): http://www.bmwf.gv.at/
•
Fachhochschulrat (Council of Universities of Applied Sciences):
http://www.fhr.ac.at/
•
Österreichischer Akkreditierungsrat (Austrian Accreditation Council):
http://www.akkreditierungsrat.at/cont/de/index.aspx
•
Dirnberger, Margit and Heinz Kasparovksy. Postsekundäre
Bildungseinrichtungen / Institutions of Postsecondary Education: October
2010. Vienna: Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and
Research and Federal Ministry of Science and Research, 2010:
http://www.bmwf.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/wissenschaft/hochschulwesen/po
stsek_bildungseinrichtungen.pdf
Recommended Book Resource(s)
• Lukas, Karen Hammerlund. Austria: A Study of the Educational System of
Austria and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students in Educational
Institutions of the United States. Washington, D.C.: American Association
of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), 1987.